Ocean Zones

Learning Goal Describe the composition and interactions between the structure of the Earth and its atmosphere.

Overview of the Ocean Life Zones Horizontal Zones Littoral Zone Neritic Zone Oceanic or PELAGIC Zone Vertical Zones Sunlit Zone Twilight Zone Bathyal Zone Abyssal Zone

Horizontal life zones Littoral Zone – The shallow water area between high and low tides. Neritic Zone – The area of the continental margin between the low tide line and the edge of the continental shelf. Oceanic Zone – The deep ocean beyond the continental margin.

Horizontal Zones Diagram

Vertical Zones Sunlit Zone – (epipelagic) Extends from the surface of the ocean to a depth of 200 meters. Twilight Zone – (mesopelagic) the area of the ocean between 200 meters and 1,000 meters. Bathyal Zone – (bathypelagic) extends from 1,000 meters to 4,000 meters. Abyssal Zone – (abyssalpelagic) the area of the ocean that is deeper than 4,000 meters.

V Z E O R N T E I S C A L

Vertical Zones, Life and Light Sunlight is the energy basis for nearly all marine ecosystems and is therefore critical for life. The Sunlit Zone receives large amounts of sunlight. As a result many of the oceans organisms thrive here. This is the area most of our seafood comes from.

Vertical Zones, Life and Light Twilight Zone – an area of the ocean that receives some light but is darker than the sunlit zone. Some fish and other organisms live here. Bathyal and Abyssal Zones are in complete darkness. Life forms in these zones contain tube worms, lantern fish, angler fish, as well as other forms of life.

Types of Oceanic life Plankton – float near the ocean surface. There are two types: phytoplankton, plantlike and zooplankton, animal like. Plankton are moved at the mercy of ocean currents Benthos – Organisms that live on the ocean floor. Nekton – Organisms that can swim.

Oceans are AWESOME!! Let’s take a look http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0i6JoeyIvc0